Tiger Salamanders, one of seven salamander species found in Wisconsin, are named for their black and yellow markings that sometimes resemble tiger stripes. I think the name is still fitting for our salamander, “Scuba,” whose markings are more splotchy than striped. He lives up to his namesake by being a voracious predator.
Tiger salamanders are carnivores that eat pretty much anything that will fit in their mouth. As aquatic larvae, they might eat insect larvae, tadpoles, and small fish. Terrestrial adults eat worms, frogs, mice, or even other salamanders.
Scuba’s favorite snack is mealworms, but red worms are the bulk of his diet. When he senses a worm (and if he’s hungry), he strikes with surprising speed. A red worm is too long to swallow in a single gulp, so he vigorously shakes it to subdue his prey. Normally we see Scuba as a slow-moving and elusive creature, but he can become quite a tiger when food is around.
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